The ENRR Public Consultation Update and Progress on River Restoration in Spain
The Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has opened an update for public comment on the National River Restoration Strategy (ENRR). The ENRR aims to restore 3,000 kilometers of Spanish rivers with an estimated investment of 2,500 million euros during the period 2022 to 2030, in line with Basin Hydrological Plans and Flood Risk Management Plans.
Fifteen years after its inception, MITECO believes it is time to launch a second development phase of the ENRR. This phase will refresh the objectives and the mechanisms for implementing the Strategy, aligning them with developments in water management, biodiversity protection, and both European and Spanish regulations related to risk management. The document currently open for consultation outlines the core reflections of the ENRR and the lines of action for its revision. The deadline to submit comments is December 16, 2022.
Barriers being removed on many rivers
In accordance with the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change, the ENRR will later be approved by the Council of Ministers in connection with budget items of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR) and supported by European programs, with implementation across different administrations, including FEDER and LIFE projects.
76 projects currently in progress or ongoing
The strategy began in 2005 with an action plan grounded in a diagnostic assessment of the problems facing Spanish rivers. Since its start, 76 restoration projects have been initiated or completed, incorporating green infrastructure actions and nature-based solutions across inter-community river basin districts.
These initiatives have improved the fluvial continuity of Spain’s rivers. They have included the demolition of 621 weirs and disused dams, and the construction of 574 fish passes to reconnect habitats and support migratory species.
The Basin Hydrological Plans for Phase Three and the Flood Risk Management Plans for the second cycle depend heavily on river restoration, as hydromorphological pressures are among the most significant challenges observed in Spanish waterways. Climate change impacts on fluvial hydromorphology and stream vegetation are felt primarily through alterations in flow regimes and increased erosion, as highlighted in the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change.
The ENRR emphasizes a resilient, ecosystem-based approach that integrates river restoration with long-term water security, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation. It seeks to balance human needs with ecological dynamics, ensuring rivers can sustain healthier habitats while reducing flood risks and improving water quality across the landscape. The strategy highlights collaborative governance, engaging regional and local authorities, water agencies, and civil society to share best practices, monitor results, and scale successful interventions across the national network. In this light, the ENRR envisions a future where restored rivers support diverse aquatic communities, offer recreational and cultural benefits, and contribute to sustainable economic activity through improved ecosystem services. [Citation: Ministerio de la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, ENRR update and progress report]